You have to whaaaaat???

In the midst of my worrying about Tuesday's ultrasound, I completely forgot to mention that I had an appointment with the Infectious Disease Specialist today. The appointment went better than I had expected, but the clinic itself was much different than I had pictured. It was such a sad, pitiful setting. I guess I somehow thought that if I made my appointment at EVMS (Eastern Virginia Medical School) that I would be in a "first class" environment rather than some second hand clinic. I also neglected to realize what kind of patients would be sitting across from me in the waiting room. Today I learned more than what's going on with me. I learned that what is going on with me is far less than 99% of the rest of the patients.

I do not have AIDS.

I am not destined to be on medication for the rest of my life.

I will live.

How can I feel bad about my MRSA after sitting in a room with people who could not say the above?

Here's what else I learned today:

I actually have to be decontaminated.

The doctor prescribed me an ointment that I am supposed to swab in my nose twice daily (apparently MRSA cultivates in the nose), as well as a body wash. Yes, you read right...I have to wash with a prescription strength antimicrobial body wash. Do I feel disgusting or what?!

I have another appointment in 3 weeks where I will be reevaluated to see if any new "spots" or rashes have occurred. If not, then we have probably gotten rid of the bacteria on my skin. If I do have a spot develop, then a Sulfa antibiotic needs to be taken for a month in order to get rid of the bacteria.

My pregnancy is not considered high risk because of this.

I shouldn't have to do anything differently during delivery unless my midwives would prefer to wear additional "gear".

Well, there ya have it. Let's see how this super-duper industrial strength soap works....keep your fingers crossed!

Just in case you were wondering....

This isn't going to be much of a post at all- more of a message to my beloved readers to give a quick and much needed update.

First off, I am still alive.

I am still blogging.

I am still pregnant (just ask my puke-bucket).

And I have had two more bouts of MRSA (we are now at a total of 3).

I am just extremely frustrated with my health right now and am trying to sort things out and compile and somewhat coherent post for you all to read.

Please continue to keep our family in your prayers and I will update with more ASAP.

Please join me in prayer, friends.

Hey there, strangers. Remember me?? I'm the blogger that's seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth. Lately I have been avoiding making a post- but why?? I know that I could use the prayers. I know that I could use the encouragement. I know that I could use the support. I just don't know why I haven't been posting.

The labs came back from my last culture and, as much as I hate to say it, it's MRSA again. I can't help but wonder why I'd be slapped with a bout of this again just after getting over one case, finding out that I'm pregnant, and enduring relentless morning-sickness. I hate to "why me", but WHY MEEEEEE!!!??? Seriously? I was just at a point where I felt like I was able to live as a normal human being. Sheesh.

The good news (I guess you could call it) is that my wound is healing SUPER fast this time and is responding well to antibiotics. I go back to the doctor next week to get rechecked and for more tests. I may be sent to an Infectious Disease specialist to see if I'm a carrier (I mean, what are the odds?!).

If you would, please pray for the following:

-I am on a strong antibiotic (sulfa based) that is classified as "ok to take in pregnancy for short term use". Please pray that there are no adverse side effects for me or the baby.

-That this will be my last bout of MRSA, that Sean will stay healthy, and that William and his baby will stay healthy.

-That we'll find out what I can do to prevent this from happening again (because, like the doctor said, I can't live in a bubble).

Thank you for you prayers and support. Goodness knows, I surely need them.

God is so good, he's so good to me!

Happy Monday evening, friends! I thought I'd post with a MRSA update since I haven't done so in awhile. Thankfully, after a month of this whole ordeal, my wound is completely healed over. The spot that Dr. G cauterized has healed very quickly (much to my surprise). I am still keeping the spot covered with a Band-Aid because it is still sensitive and, quite frankly, I'm not comfortable walking around with it aired to the world. At this point, however, the rash from the bandage's adhesive is worse than the wound itself! Funny how that happens...the side-affects being worse than the disease itself (like how the antibiotic made me feel crummier than anything else).

My*PPD has been practically non-existent. Of course I have the typical ups and downs, but not the come-straight-home-from-work-and-go-to-bed kind. William has been sleeping through the night and has been very well behaved, so I'm sure that helps with my improved mood! I'm still on the Zoloft, but will probably be weaning off of it in the next few months. I want to be completely off of it before trying to get pregnant again away.

*Post-Partum Depression

While on the topic of my family's health, I'll go ahead and let you know that Sweet Boy's head is healing wonderfully! He's still got a little scrape where the "gash" was, but that is almost gone completely. God is good, and God heals very quickly!

I hope you all have a wonderful night and an even better tomorrow...talk to you then!

It's a long one, but totally worth it (ahem, there's a contest at the end)...

Ok, so here's the deal. I've got a hodge-podge of a blog post for you tonight. There's going to be a little update mixed with some anticipation, melded with a bit of "you're not going to believe this".

See?

I told you I would be all over the place.

Let's get started, shall we??

I think it would be fun to start with the "you're not going to believe this" segment, so here ya go:
Well, you remember my "Move outta my way, Satan" post from yesterday? IT GOT WORSE. Seriously, I didn't think that I could have a more crappy morning, but boy, oh boy, I was wrong! Right after I finished my post, I got William up and we made our way through the Midtown tunnel towards our church for the Bible study that I was already an hour late to. We were making great time though and it was looking like I would catch the second half....until.... Satan strikes again.

One mile away from my exit there was a three car accident blocking all lanes of traffic. Now, I know I should be thankful that I was not the one in the collision, but traffic and I are definitely not friends. Seriously, the accident had just happened and, by the look of things, we were there to stay for awhile. The silver lining is that William and I met some really sweet people while stretching our legs on Interstate 164! Fortunately, I had also packed William a lunch to eat while in the church nursery. So there ya have it, we had our first highway picnic.

An hour later we were back on our way to the church. Ironically we started moving at noon on the dot. The exact time my study ended. SERIOUSLY? Satan sucks.

We still swung by the church because my mom had asked me to bring her some Ibuprofen for her foot. While dropping it off, and explaining how my husband's car fell apart in my hands and that we ate lunch on the side of an interstate, we noticed that Wip had a rash covering his entire body.

Holy freakin' cow.

No wonder the poor kid was scratching his head all morning. I thought he was just showing me his hair. Guess who wins Mom of the Year?? Not me!

I immediately got the pediatrician's office on the phone and was able to get him in at 12:30. Ok, good, we had 5 minutes to get there. I can handle that. After all, I've been going 100 miles an hour all morning. We got there on time and were seen immediately. I guess a possible allergic reaction in nothing to scoff at. Anyhoo...it turned out to just be a side affect of the amoxicillin he's taking...not a reaction. Thank God.

Since the doctor's office is right next to Food Lion, I decided to go ahead and get some shopping done. While there, my son, the boy wonder, thought it would be a good decision to stand up in the cart. Now, before you start to think that I walked away or didn't have him strapped in, think again.

He was strapped in, and I was RIGHT there.

He is just a little mouse that can weasel his way out of anything! Since the moment he realized he could defeat the silly little strap, Wipa found it completely unnecessary to remain seated. From that point on I found myself pushing the cart with one hand and holding his leg down with the other (this was his "leverage leg" that he used to maneuver himself out of his "shackles").

Fuuuun stuff.

On top of that, Wip was screaming bloody murder and onlookers probably thought I was pinning him down for fun or something. Yeahhh, fun...that's it. Then at check out he immediately turned off the tears long enough to flirt with the checkout girl and get a balloon (that he later decided to bite a hole in and suck the air out). Really??

Needless to say, I begged my mom to let him stay with her during my appointment with the plastic surgeon. She willingly agreed and I was granted an hour, sans baby, to go to the doctor.

Now, this bring me to the update portion of my post:
While at the doctor, I got a wonderful bill of health and don't have to go back for 4 more weeks. As for now, I am to continue washing my arm really good and dressing it appropriately until it is completely healed. Once healed, I am good to go. I am officially MRSA free, but once the wound is 100% gone, I am absolutely good to go. Praise God! Oh yeah, he also cauterised it because I had some protruding skin due to it healing from the inside out (oh yeah, fun stuff). Other than that, I am healing like a champ.

Now for the anticipation segment:
Today we picked 4 quarts of strawberries to make some of Sweet William's strawberry jam. The plan is to can it and save it to give away to friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc. for Christmas. You may anticipate pictures (that I plan on posting tomorrow) of William picking those sweet berries. You may also anticipate a jar for yourself...if you're lucky! To get your hands on the first jar, all you have to do is post a comment about what you would eat the jam with. That's it. I just want to know what you'll be pairing our yummy goodness with and if I think it's winner worthy, you'll get the first jar! I'll even ship it to you if I don't see you on a day-to-day basis. Good luck!

Well, I'm off to bed. I've got a day of washing, de-capping, and mashing berries ahead of me!

I hope you all have a nice night and an even better tomorrow!

Celebrate good times, Come on!!

After Sean got home from work this evening, we decided to make our way to the mall for a celebratory dinner. Max and Erma's definitely fit the bill and they practically had to roll us out afterwards! William was completely thrilled to devour his first corn dog (on a stick!) and watermelon lemonade (complete with gummy worms!)

…hey, I said we were celebrating!

I think that we’ve found a new favorite in Max and Erma’s and will definitely be returning for our next “way to go, Daddy” dinner. Sean is still laying on the couch moaning that he ate wayyyy to much!

"Mom, this is almost as good as nursing!"

William's first gummy worm

"Rock on, corn dogs!!!"

William got an adorable pair of sandals from StrideRite that we thought would be a good solution to the never-ending Battle de Shoes. Wrong. He loves them, don’t get me wrong, but he loves them so much that he wants to play with the Velcro, chew on the bottoms, etc., etc….

I’ve got Bible Study tomorrow and I am so completely excited to be surrounded by God’s women. Last week was the first session, but considering the circumstances, I stayed home and wallowed in my MRSA. Well, not this week, friends… I am back and more excited than ever!

Oh, life is good once again in the Hingley household. By the way, Sean has another test coming up in October that will provide our family with another raise. I’m already praying for him and his success, but not losing site of today’s victory and how blessed we are. I am so very proud of my sweetie pie and all his hard work. I am also very grateful for everyone’s prayers and well wishes. God is so good, friends (and so are all of you)!

Well, I’m off to take a shower and use my FABULOUS, new and expensive, but totally worth it, hair product. I got ready this morning in 30 minutes- start to finish- and my hair looked better than ever (was that snobby?? I’m sorry, but it did though!). If you have crazy, curly hair (like me) then MoroccanOil is definitely worth your money (even in this economy).

Hope you all have a wonderful evening and an even better tomorrow…



MRSA Update: Going, going, ALMOST GONE!!!!

I'm running out of witty titles (work, brain, work!)

Today was my first day back to work in a week and, boy, am I feeling it!! The kids were great- no major issues to report, but I am just not used to actually doing work these days (remember, I haven't cooked in eons??). I did, however, make dinner tonight and even ran a few errands (sans baby).

William did well today too. He stayed with my friend, Lisa, because my brother was sick at home with some sort of bug. My mom and I decided that I definitely didn't need anything else in my system so we opted to keep William far, far away! He was very well behaved at Lisa's, but he also wasn't feeling well. It seems that he either as allergies or a cold?? I know that doctors say that children don't develop allergies until later in life...I say that's a bunch of bull-hockey!

Please pray that our Sweet William is protected from illness and gets a good night's sleep. Last night he decided that it was necessary for him to hog our bed, so mommy and daddy need a good night's rest as well...


Oh yeah!! That brings me to my next prayer request: Sean's test!

That's right, friends, the day has come! Tomorrow is the big test that he's been studying for for a year now. Please pray that he gets a night full of rest, that he'll have peace, wisdom, and good recall tomorrow, and that he'll do his best...and pass of course!!! His test is at 11:00 and it lasts 2.5 hours, so I'll post as soon as I know something (and then I will go celebrate with my scholar!!!).

Hope you all have a wonderful night and an even better better tomorrow! I'm off to shower and try out my new (ahem) $30 styling product (and I wonder why our savings account is nil!). It's supposed to be amazing and I'm allowed to return it if I don't absolutely loooove it. You bet your boots I hung onto that receipt! I'll letcha (pardon my 8th grade slang) know how it works, and if you're lucky I may even post pictures of curly headed Erin. If you're lucky...

Nighty Night,





**MRSA update: My arm looks fab-u-lous!!

Oh MRSA, MRSA me!!!

Ok, so here's the deal: I hate MRSA.

I hate that it makes me take drugs that make me feel sick to my stomach.

I hate that it takes me away from my boys because I am so exhausted.

I hate that I have zero energy in the morning and loads at night.

I hate that tomorrow I have to get poked and prodded (again) by Dr. G

Most of all I hate my attitude...

Therefore, I am going to put on my rose colored glasses and try to see the good in this whole situation. Here's the thing I love about MRSA (that's right, you heard me... I said love):

I love that MRSA has taught me patience, gratitude, hope, and that I'm not in charge...not by a long shot. God is in complete control and worrying will not change that for one second. I was never in charge, nor will I ever be. Therefore, I have allowed myself to turn over all my worries, concerns, anxiety to the Lord. God has been so good to us, and even though MRSA sucks (hey, I had to say it), it was definitely a blessing in disguise.

I'm going back to work tomorrow. I could have gone today, but wanted to give my eye an extra day to heal (which it did...yay!). The arm is looking good (well, it still looks like a *GSW) and I pray that Dr. G agrees.

*Gun Shot Wound

Please pray for my continued healing, as well as my appointment tomorrow. If I was a worrier then I would be anxious about having to take a stronger antibiotic (and thus have to wean William). Fortunately I am not worried. I am praying hard that this current medicine will do the trick and I ask that you would do the same. I also ask that you keep Sean in your prayers as he is preparing for his test on Thursday. He is studying as we speak...what a good little student!

Let's hope, make that pray, that I have more energy in the morning....after all, I have sixteen kiddos waiting for me! I am soooo excited to see them again!

Little William had a farm, E-I-E-I-O!!!

While on our trip to Target today, Grammy bought William his own barn for the backyard. William looooves tents and we were so excited to find one this cute. Check out his barnyard shenanigans:

Then he found the window...

...and thought it was a door.

Silly William... no wonder it's for ages 3+

By the way, I'm not going to work tomorrow to allow myself one more day to heal. My stye is 99% better but I wanted to make sure it was completely gone before returning to the preschool. I am returning to the plastic surgeon Tuesday for a check up. I think that my arm is healed significantly, but let's hope the doctor agrees. Pray for continued healing and that I will not have to take a stronger antibiotic. Thank you for all your love and support, dear friends!

MRSA, may I??

MRSA may I... go outside?

No.

MRSA may I... please go outside?

Yes, but you're too vain (oh yeah, I forgot).

MRSA may I... clean my house?

No.

MRSA may I... go back to work right now?

No.

MRSA may I... ever get well?

Yes.


MRSA may I... not cook for the 6th night in a row?

Yes.

MRSA may I... eat Chinese take-out tonight?

Yes.

MRSA may I... continue on the poor man's pills?

Yes.

MRSA may I... go back to work as long as my wound is covered and my eye is healed?

Yes.

MRSA may I... continue to nurse William?

Yes.

MRSA may I... go back to the plastic surgeon on Monday/Tuesday?

Yes.

MRSA may I... live each day as it comes?

Yes... should have all along!

Hope that sums up what point we're at right now. Please excuse my pathetic puns...that and scripture is all I have right now (and I'll leave you with some of the latter as well). Thank you for your continued prayers...let me know if you have any additional questions. I have pictures but thought I would save you a couple gags and grimaces...if you really want to see them, e-mail me.

Erin

For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 30:17

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isiah 41:10